U.S. President Barack Obama spoke about the Labor Day federal holiday and the contributions of working men and women to the country in his weekly address Saturday.

He said on Labor Day, celebrated Monday, Americans will pay tribute to the values that working Americans embody - hard work, responsibility, sacrifice and looking out for one another.

However, Obama said "the journey of upward mobility has become harder" for many workers and the "shadow of poverty continues to cast a pall" over many workers. The president said reversing that trend is his highest priority and needs to be Washington's highest priority, as well.

Watch President Obama's weekly address:

Representative Mike Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania delivered the Republican address. He said workers see "nothing but roadblocks coming out of Washington." The lawmaker said his party wants to "protect" everyone from the upcoming implementation of the Affordable Care Act - also known as "Obamacare" - aimed at providing low-cost heath insurance for millions of Americans.